Folding machine



June 12, 1945. i s. AZ ZAR'A FOLDING MACHINE Filed Spjz. 7, 19.444 s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

S. AZZARA FOLDING MACHINE June 12, 1945.

' Filed Sept. 7, 1944 S Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTQR. W

June 12, 1945. s AZZARA 2,378,277. FOLDING MACHINE I Filed Sept. 7, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 E INVENTOR.

. being provided with Patented June 12, 1-945 u-Nrrno; STATE per cent to Andrew G Co. Inc., Brooklyn, N. York -Application September 7, 1944,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved machine for folding edges of blanks over the body of the blank, and pressing such edges into firm engagement with such body, the edges usually an adhesive to firmlyand permanently secure ,su'ch edges to the body.

In certaintypeso'fshoes, it has been customary to. apply a decorative binding to the edge of an insole, upper, or other portion of the shoe to conceal such. edge. In many instances, these bindings have been secured 'by stitching or otherwise. It has been found more desirable, however, to secure the edgebindings by the useof an adhesive, which method oi'application requiresless time than the stitching, operation. It is open to l the objection, however, that wrinkles are often produced, due in part to. an .insufiicient wiping action to smooth the edges of the binding over. the marginal edges of the work, and in part to a deficient application of pressure to the edges after they have been wiped into position.

S PATENT OFFICE 2,378,277 j FOLDING MACHINE Santo Azzara New York, N.

Y.,' assignor of fifty eller Shoe Manufacturing Y., a corporation of New Serial No. 552,972

It is an object of the present invention to provide means for effecting a smooth wiping action over all parts of the edge of the margin, while the work. is held immovable, which wiping action is immediately-followed bythe movement of a hammer element which presses the edges of the binding into firm engagement with the work. The edges of the work areusually curved, and a plurality of wiping elements, each moving generally perpendicular to av line tangent to a section of the curve,-are actuated, by a single operating mechanism- The wiping actionv is such as to cause the binding to. cling closely to the edge of the work.

In addition to providing an improved edgebinding machine capable of producing work of high quality, wherein the binding is drawn tightly around the. edge, the machine. of the present invention may {also be. used for folding the edges. of the work. over the body of the work to formahem. In some instances, especially in the casejoi shoe uppers, it has beena practice, in order to. form a neat joint between separate parts, toskive. the edge of the leather blanks and fold such. edges so that the grain side of the leather extends completely around the margin.v A machine constructed. inv accordance with. the presentinvention accomplishes this result in an effective manner, the edges, skived or otherwise, being tightly drawn over thebody of the blank and pressedlinto, adhesive engagement with such body.

The machine of the present invention is far less complicated, and is more easily operated, than other machines which accomplish inferior reafter the blank of Fig.

sults. It may also be readily changed to operate on differently shaped pieces. v

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be hereinafter pointed out, or will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the head of the press equipped with the folding means of the present invention. I p v, Fig. 2 is a broken top plan view of the bed of the press, the view showing particularly the operation and construction of the reciprocating blades which perform the folding'opera'tion, and also showing such blades in advanced position.

Fig. 3 is similar in fully retracted position.

Fig. 4 is a broken vertical section taken on line- 4-4 of Fig. 3. r

Fig. 5 is similar to tion of the marginal edge of the blank after it has been wiped inwardly by the blades.

Fig, 6 is also similar to Fig. 4, but shows the position of the parts when the marginal edge is engaged bythe-hammer.

Fig. I is a bottom plan view of the combined hammer and presser foot. I

Fig. 8 is a section taken. on line 8 -8 of Fig, 4. Fig. 9 is a broken section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a blank which may be secured to a shoe part employing the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a broken plan view of the shoe part 10 has been secured in place.

The folding and pressing arrangement of the present invention may be employed in connec tion with any suitable press having a head l0 carried by an archedmember H which may be formed integrally with frame l2. A chuck l3 may be mounted for reciprocating, vertical movement in the head 10, and suitable means (not shown) may run fromlthe head through the arched support H to the base, such means being preferably connected with a foot pedal (not shown) for reciprocating the chuck IS. The chuck is formed with a bore (not shown) which receives a shank M, which supports the combined hammer and presser-foot structure, the shank being secured within the chuckby means of a set screw 15. Thehammer element I! may be formed integrally with the shank I 4, such construction being illustrated in Fig. 4. The ham mer portion [8 onthe lowersurface of thehammer element may have a contour of any desired to Fig; 2, but shows the blades Fig. 4, but shows the posishape, depending upon the contour of the work which is being operated upon. In the embodiment illustrated, the work 20, shown in Fig, 11, is an insole for a shoe, and a toe piece 22 having a pinked edge 23 of generally convex curvature is to be secured to such insole, the pinked edge, as well as the remaining terminal edge portions 24, being folded around the surved, forward, terminal portion of the insole 20. In this instance,

the outer edge 25 of the hammer may follow the contour of insole 20.

The lower surface of the hammer element I1 is formed with a recess 26 of suflicient depth to receive a plate 21 forming the presser foot which holds blank 20 in position during the folding operation. The body of hammer element I1 is formed with a plurality of apertures 3| which receive pins 32, which may be secured, as by welding 33, in suitably-spaced apertures in plate 21. Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that three of such pins 32 are provided for mounting plate 21, thus assuring the plate of easy reciprocating movement without any danger of binding. Downward movement of the plate 21 relative to the hammer element I1 is limited by means of bolts 34 whose heads engage the upper surface of hammer element Ill. The plate 21 is normally urged downwardly by means of a relatively large spring 35 positioned within centrally-disposed recess 36 in the hammer element, and a plurality of somewhat smaller springs 40 are positioned within recesses 4|, the general location of such smaller springs and recesses likewise being illustrated in Fig. 8.

The press may have a bed 42 mounted on frame |2, such bed having a work support 43 extending therefrom in the direction of the operator. Bed 42 is formed with a recess 48 shaped substantially similar to the contour of the outer marginal edge 25 of the hammer portion l8. The lower surface 44 of this recess is desirably on the same plane as that of work support 43. The toe piece 22,,which is provided with the usual adhesive on one surface thereof, is first applied to the insole 20, in which position its pinked edges 23 and relatively-straight edges 24 occupy the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 11.. The insole is next inserted within recess 48 in bed 42, the outer marginal edges of the insole being shaped, generally similar to the edge of the recess 48, as previously pointed out. In this position, the outer marginal edges 23 of tee piece 22 will be positioned perpendicular to the bed, all as shown in Fig. 4.-

The first step in the operation is to depress plunger l3 carrying hammer element H to a point wherein presser plate 21 engages insole 20, as shown in Fig. 4. The operator will readilydetermine the amount of pressure to be applied to the foot pedal to cause the plate to firmly engage the insole, without, however, moving the hammer element downwardly sufficiently far to interfere with the operation of the wiper blades, which will now be described. For the purposes illustrated, three of such wiper blades 45, 46 and 41 are employed. Central wiper blade 46 is mounted in a recess (not shown) in the upper surface of bed 42, and is adapted to move longitudinally with respect to the frame. Blades 45 and 41, respectively, are mounted in similar recesses for reciprocating movement, and are movable generally diagonally relative to blade 46. Blades 45 and 41 are formed with projections and 5|, which, when the blades are in the retracted position shown in Fig. 3, overlie similar projections 52 and 53 disposed on opposite sides of blade 46.

F wiper blades 45 and 41.

The following means are provided for manually moving the three wiper blades conjointly. A lever 54 is journalled at 55 on the upper surface of the bed, such lever having an elongated slot 51 which engages a pin 6| carried on a plate 62 which is slidabl'e on the upper surface of the bed. Slots 63 and 64 disposed on opposite sides of plate 62 receive screws 65 which pass into the bed, and thus define the path of reciprocating movement of plate 62. movement of plate 62. Central wiper blade 46 is keyed to movement with plate 62 by means of pin 10. Also, pins 1| and 12, respectively, carried by plate 62 are received in slots 13 and 14 in diagonal It will thus be seen that when the outer terminal of the handle is moved forwardly, plate 62 likewise moves forwardly and brings the wiper blades to the position shown in Fig. 2.

The lower edges of wiper blades 45, 46 and 41 are so positioned relative to the lower surface 44 of recess 48, which receives the work 20, as to smoothlyand tightly wipe the edges 23 and 24 of the toe piece over the marginal edge of the work 25!, and when the machine is. properly operated, the hammer element l8 may descend upon the edge instantly upon the blades being retracted, thus not permitting a sufiicient lapse of time between the operations to enable the slightlypressed marginal edges to be freed from their adhesive engagement with the work. It was earlier pointed out that the machine of the present invention may likewise be used in cases wherein the work itself has edges which are folded and pressed into engagement with the body of the work, as distinguished from the separate blank illustrated in the drawings. It will be noted that the several wiper blades move in a direction generally perpendicular to lines drawn tangent to the curved edges of the work 20, and in the event that a difierently-shaped piece of work is to be operated upon, a separate set of blades may be appropriately employed. In this case, an appropriately-shaped hammer element will also be employed.

While one form or embodiment of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, and the construction and arrangement incidental to a specific application thereof have been disclosed and discussed in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere details of relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specific embodiment shown herein, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated form or embodiment of the invention may be made without departing from the principles thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for folding and pressing edge material, the combination of a work support having a recess whose edge is shaped to fit the marginal edge of the work and to deflect the edge to be folded upwardly when the work is inserted within the recess, folding means for wiping the edge inwardly, a hammer element for pressing the edge to be folded into firm engagement with the body of the work, and a spring-urged presser plate associated with the hammer element for holding the work immovable during the wiping operation, said wiping means comprising a plurality of wiper blades mounted for reciprocating movement, means for moving the blades conjointly to folding position, and means for moving the hammer element downwardly into edgepressing position.

Stop pins 66 may also limit forward acres?? 1 2. In amachine for folding and pressing edge bindings, the combination of a work support having= a"v recess whose 'edgei's shaped to fit the marwardly-movable hammer element for pressing the edge of the, binding into firm engagement withthe work, and a presser plate associated with the hammer element' for holding the work immovable during the wiping: operation, said: iping means comprising: a plurality of wiper blades mounted. for reciprocating movement, means for moving; the blades inwardly,the hammer element havingairecess in its lower wall for receiving the presser plate when the hammer is: moved downwardly'to edge-pressing position, and:

spring means: for urging the presser plate downwardly into V work-holding position.

a 3. In a machine for folding and pressing the.

edgeof apiece of work onto the. body of the work, the combination of-a work support havinga recess whose edge is shaped to fit the. marginal edge rality' of wiper blades: mounted for reciprocating: movement; asingle operating member for moving the blad'esi-n-wardly, and a vertically-movable support for the hammer element permitting movement of such hammer element downwardly into edge-Dressing position.

4. In a machine for folding and; pressing edge bindings, a. work-support, hawingav recess whose edge is shaped tofit the: marginal, edge of the work and to deflect; the freeed'ge of the bindin saida wiping means comprising a plurality of wiper blades. mounted for reciprocating. movement, at single. operating member for moving the blades inwardly, the hammer element having av recess in its lower wall for receiving the presser plate. when the hammer is in edge-pressing position, spring means for urging the presser plate downwardly into work-holding position, a supupwardly when the :work. iszinserted' within the recess, folding meansforwiping the edge: oi the binding, inwardly, a hammer element for pressing the edge of the binding'into firm engagement with the work, and a'presser'plate associated with the hammer element for, holding the work imable support for the hammer element for moving such hammer element downwardly into edgepressing position, and for raising such hammer element and the presser plate out of engagement with the work.

, 5. In a machine for folding and pressing edge bindings, the combination of a frame, a work support carried by the frame and having a recess whose edge is shaped to fit the marginal edge of the work and to deflect the free edge of the binding upwardly when the work is inserted within the recess, folding means for wiping the edge of the binding inwardly, a hammer element for pressing the, edge of the binding into firm engagement with the work, and a presser plate associated with the hammer element for holding the work immovable during the wipingoperation,

portfor' the hammer element, journal means carried by'thev frame to permit-vertical, reciprocating movement of the hammer element, means for moving such hammer element downwardly to cause the. presser plate to engage the work while the lower surface. of the. hammer element is spaced from the work, thus permitting wiping movement of the blades, andmeans for moving such. hammer elementinto edge-pressing position after the. blades: have: been retracted.

6. In. a, machine; forfoldingand pressing edge portions of a piece-of workjinto engagement with the body of: the work, the combination of a work support having means for; receiving the marginal edges of the. body of the work,- means for wiping such edgev portions; inwardly, means for holding the work against the work support during the wiping operation, and. a. vertically-movable hammer. element. for pressing the folded edge portions firmly into; engagement with. the body of the work, the, wiping means comprisinga plurality of wiping blades movable generally at right angles to. the: edge sections; comprising the marginal edges; of the body of the work, and means for moving the blades into wiping position. I

7;, Ina machine for folding. and pressing edge portionsof. a piece. of work having a curved contour intoenga ement with the body of the work, the; combination. of a Work, support having means for receiving the: marginal edges of the body of the work and deflecting the edge portions upwardly, means. for wiping such edge portions inwardly, spring-urged means for holding the work against the work support during the wiping op"- eration,. and avertically-movable hammer ele ment for pressing, the folded edge portions firmly into. engagement withthebody of the work, such hammer element carrying the work-holding means, the wiping means comprising a plurality of wiping blades movable generally at right angles tolines tangent to the curved edge sections comprising the marginal edges of the body of thework, and means for, moving the blades conjointly. I I

8. In a machine for folding and pressing edge portions of a piece of work into engagement with the body of the work, such edge portions being provided with an adhesive, the combination of a work support, means for wiping the edge portions of the work inwardly, means for holding the work against the work support during the wiping operation, and a vertically-movable hammer element for pressing the folded edge portions firmly into engagement with the body of the work, the wiping means comprising a plurality of wiping blades movable generally at right angles to the edge sections comprising the marginal edges of the body of the work, and a lever connected with such blades for moving the blades conjointly reciprocating movement.

9. In a machine for folding and pressing edge portions of a piece of work into engagement with the body of the work, the combination of a frame,

a work support carried thereby and having means the work and deflecting the edge portions upwardly, means for wiping such edge portions inwardly, means for holding the work against the work support during the wiping operation, and a' vertically-movable hammer element for pressing the folded edge portions firmly into engagement with the body of the work, the wiping means comprising a plurality of wiping blades movable generally at right angles to the edge sections comprising the marginal edges of the body of the work, means for moving the blades conjointly, the work-holding means comprising a springpressed plate mounted on the lower surface of the hammer element for vertical, reciprocating movement, such lower surface having a recess to receive the plate when the hammer is in pressing position, journal means carried by the frame for permitting vertical, reciprocating movement of the hammer element, means for moving the hammer element downwardly to cause the plate to engage the work during the wiping operation, and means for moving the hammer element into engagement with the work upon retraction of th wiping blades.

10. In a machine for folding and pressing edge portions of a piece of work into engagement with the body of the work, the combination of a work support having means for receiving the marginal edges of the body of the work and deflecting the edge portions upwardly, means for wiping'such edge portions inwardly, means for holding the work against the work support during the Wiping operation, and a vertically-movable hammer element for pressing the folded edge portions firmly into engagement with the body of the work, the wiping means comprising a plurality of wiping blades movable generally at right angles to the edge sections comprising the marginal edges of the bodyof the work, and means for moving the blades conjointly, the work-holding means comprising a spring-pressed plate mounted on the lower surface of the hammer element for vertical, reciprocating movement, such lower surface hav ing a recess to receive the plate when the hammer is in pressing position.

for receiving the marginal edges of the body of 11. In a machine for folding and pressing an edge binding to a piece of work formed with a curved edge, the combination of a work support having a recess whose marginal edge is shaped to receive the marginal edge of the work and deflect the edge binding upwardly when the work is inserted within the recess, a hammer element mounted for vertical, reciprocating movement relative to the work support to permit the edge binding to be pressed into firm engagement with the work, a work-holding plate mounted for vertical, reciprocating movement on the lower surface of the hammer element, the lower surface of such element having a recess to receive the plate when the hammer is in pressing position, spring means for urging the plate downwardly into work-holding position, a plurality of wiper blades mounted on the work support for folding the upwardly-deflected edges of the binding inwardly, such blades moving in lines generally at right angles to a line tangent to the several sections of the curved edge of the work, and single operating means for moving the blades into folding relationship.

12. In a machine for folding and pressing an edge binding to the upper surface of a piece of ,work formed with a conveXly-curved edge, the combination of a work support having a recess whose marginal edge is shaped to receive the marginal edge of the work and deflect the edge binding upwardly when the work is inserted within the recess, a hammer element mounted for vertical, reciprocating movement relative to the work support to permit the edge binding to be pressed into firm engagement with the work, a yieldable, spring-urged, work-holding plate mounted for vertical, reciprocating movement on the lower surface of the hammer element, a plurality of wiper blades mounted on the work sup- 40 port for folding the upwardly-deflected edges of the binding inwardly, such blades moving in lines generally at right angles to a line tangent to the several sections of the curved edge of the work, and single operating means for moving the blades 45 into folding relationship.

SANTO AZZARA. 

